Another update! Yay! A lot of my anonymous reviewers were gone this time, so this part will be short:
Naoto07- I think it's cute too! She makes a good parent, whether she sees it or not! Thank you for the review!
Yup, the next chapter is indeed here. Just a head's up though. I have finals coming up in two weeks...I don't think this will impact my writing too much (I only have three exams I'm actually worried about, and one that may or may not take while) but this will be a precaution in case my updates start to slow down. Thank you all so much for the support, silently or by reviewing! It makes me really happy! Here's the next chapter and I hope you all enjoy! Let me know what you think of it if you're up to it! Love always!
Disclaimer goes here.
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Lightning sat by the window of the airship, glaring at the sky that surrounded her and watching for any fiends that might decide to swoop down in them while they were in the air. It had been a week, a whole damn week, until Lt. Amodar could let them leave for Oerba. It would have been sooner if they hadn't taken the escort and made all the extra preparations, and while Lightning had been willing to just leave, the need for more hands was just too overwhelming. They would have to try and cover a large distance in a relatively short span of time; short because she would not give whatever this was a chance to make Hope worse. The nightmares either had not been as bad, or Hope was not allowing it to show, but from the small, dark circles under his eyes, Lightning wagered it was probably a bit of both.
"I'm telling you, the new coat only works with darker tones! You can't wear something like that with it!" Lightning repressed yet another groan, telling herself again and again why she was here. And promising both Snow and Lt. Amodar an early death. NORA's top members had been brought to this mission as well, the only exception being Lebreau. At least one of them had to stay behind in order for things at the bar to be upheld, and while the girl had insisted that she was more than ready to take on Pulse's creatures, she was also one of the few members who didn't scare all their potentials customers away.
But if Lightning had to hear one more thing about why this accessory didn't work with that top from Yuj, one more long talk about some of the wondrous machinery expected to be found in Oerba from Maqui, or hear Snow and Gadot try and outdo one another in one of their friendly, competitive, whose more macho competitions, someone was getting a the pointy end of a gunblade right up there-
"Aw, lighten up Claire! It's not so bad!" Serah said cheerfully, easily sensing her sister's dark move.
Lightning glared at her, thoughts of "traitor" and "you're one of them" floating in her mind. "Don't call me that when we're in public." She snapped, glaring at the poofy black hair that was Sazh's afro. Getting him to come had been no easy task, and they had to find just the right babysitter for Dajh, but he eventually relented, especially after hearing about Hope. Lightning made a note to thank him properly later.
"It's no so bad…Light…" Serah reluctantly, relented, "Besides, Hope thinks it's funny." And indeed, he did have a smile on his face, especially once Gadot defeated Snow in…a muscle-flexing contest?
"That's the only reason I tolerate it…" Lightning said once she recovered from the strange scene, "And Serah…you're husband-to-be is a real-"
"The tower's coming into view!" Sazh called, cutting off Lightning's very offensive comment, "Looks like the Guardian Corp. ship is already moving in."
"Just keep going Sazh…" Lightning mumbled, getting up from her seat and joining him near the front of the ship, "No need to go back inside that tower…"
"I hear ya." Sazh replied, expertly steering the ship down by the ruins. There was no longer the wondering fal-cie, so Lightning did feel somewhat reassured. Hope watched as well, eventually getting up from his seat and joining them in looking at the oncoming Oerba. The towers, covered in an eerie mist, eventually faded from view as the city of Oerba came up.
It was still covered in the fine powder like substance that so closely resembled snow, some being blown up by stray bits of wind. It was lonely…even more so than when they had come here with Fang and Vanille, but some plant life still managed to flourish. The ruins of the buildings could easily be seen, and as they went to land their ships, C'ieth could also be seen. The white dust was kicked up, and as they all prepared to leave, they had to shield their eyes from the oncoming pellets.
"So this is Pulse…" Maqui said, awe easily heard in his voice. None of the others could blame him though. Even though they had been there before, it still held a sort of silent beauty. Sad…but elegant…
But they had a mission.
"Phew…never thought I'd see this place…and yet here I am…" Colin said, emerging from his own airship. He looked down the pathways that opened before them, letting out a low whistle, "C'ieth too though…that makes this a little more complicated."
"It's nothing we can't handle!" Snow said, pumping his fist into the air.
"It's not a matter of whether we can handle it." Colin said, looking toward the small amount of men emerging from his airship. "But them. After all, not everyone here can use magic…that might make things a little difficult."
"It doesn't matter. We'll plow through and get to the buildings…what we want is there anyway." Lightning said briskly.
"Lt. Amodar wasn't kidding." Colin said under his breath, but he immediately shrank under the look that Lightning gave him. Hope, who hadn't said a word, knelt down and scooped up some of the fine powder. His eyes were clouded and his mind buzzing…something was here…he knew that. But what was it? What?
"Hope?" Serah asked, going beside him. She watched his strange movements and wished the pounding in her chest and head would stop. She was scared…no doubt about that, but her sister and her lover were with her. On Pulse...but with her. She drew confidence from that…and she was determined to show it to Hope as well. "We'll find it…don't' worry…"
"I-" he began uncertainly, realizing she was there, "I think it is here…like I can feel it. Does…that make sense?" he asked, letting the white powder trickle between his fingers. "It's really weird, like…like it's calling me or something. And I don't know…if I should really go to it."
Serah nodded, understanding all to well what could happen if something started to call you…and you followed it. But a smile lighted her features and she placed a hand on his shoulder, "I think we should Hope…it's the only lead we got…and everyone here wants to protect you so…so I think we'll be fine."
Hope nodded, smiling slightly, and stood up. He looked toward Oerba, toward the C'ieth, but all he saw was Vanille and Fang leading the way…
The way…
To their home…
"I think…" he mumbled, trying to make sense of the broken and blurred images that began to flash in his head, "I think we're gonna find something…at their home." The soldiers nearby looked confused but Lightning and the others knew what he meant. Vanille and Fang's home…but what could be there?
"We better get moving then." Lightning said, leading the charge. Hope followed eagerly, but the sense of foreboding still lurked in his mind.
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"This place really is a bunch of ruins…and here I was thinking they had just exaggerated the report. But I guess…they are the most intact kind here on Pulse here…at least until we really explore it." Colin mumbled, looking up at a particularly rusty ceiling. Lightning and Hope followed his line of vision, Hope nodding in agreement.
They had made it through the C'ieth in record time, but it required rest, especially for Serah. She had held her own, casting the healing spells when she could, but it was hardest for her when they had lost a soldier in an accident. She had cried…cried hard and long, and Lightning wanted to comfort her, but didn't know what to say. It was a reminder of the different levels they were on. Snow had been able to help her…and Hope had looked concerned. But as sad as he looked, there was something knowing behind his gaze. Like he knew that there were always causalities in war, in fighting, in anything.
Lightning hated that he would know that but there was a sense of pride there too. He was tainted…and it was by her influential thought process. But it was an understanding that everyone had to adopt sooner or later. She just wished it didn't have to be so soon.
Don't think about that…we have other things to do. She reminded herself, glancing at Hope as he prepared for bed. Night had fallen, and although they had taken refuge in a building, they could still see the powder from the empty holes that once contained windows. It glowed faintly under the moon and stars…giving it a serene, almost dream like look. It was breathtaking…
"Sorry…sis…" Lightning looked over at Serah who had slowly moved her way over to her. She settled beside her, clearly uneasy, "About today…I didn't mean to…"
"You did well…" Lightning said before she could continue.
Serah's eyes widened, "But-"
"Serah…it was your first day…I don't expect you to just pick this up…you're not-"
…you're not me.
"I know…I just…I just want to do this right…" Serah looked toward the others, smiling slightly as Snow dragged Yuj into a noogie. He was released after a vicious bite at Snow, yelling about his hair. "I owe it…to all of you. You did so much...had to fight constantly...it was frustrating...to be asleep like that. I couldn't help you...no matter how much I wanted to. I want to change that..." Lightning looked at her sister, a real warmth in her eyes that Serah hadn't seen in years.
I owe this...to all of you too... Serah thought as she gave her sister a hug. She looked at Hope over Lightning's shoulder, ignoring her sister's protests at the sudden hug. Just as the others were doing, he was curled up in a bed roll, eyes closed, either asleep or about to be. And especially to you Hope...
…you made her open up.
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When Hope opened his eyes, he knew right away that he was asleep...dreaming...
It was weird being aware of that but still be asleep...
It was no longer Pulse with its whispers of the past and the ever roaming C'ieth. This place, which was drenched in darkness, was another strange dream...that Hope could not break out of no matter how much he tried. But he refused to give up. He would not have another of these freakish nightmares...so he closed his eyes...willing it to go away.
He felt breathing on the back of his neck and for a moment, he thought he had succeeded in forcing himself awake. But when he opened his eyes again and still saw the darkness, he felt his neck hairs stand on end.
"Hello Hope…" Something, a hand maybe, coiled around his wrist and held him in place. The calm breathing resumed and Hope repressed a shudder every time it ghosted his neck. The voice continued, "I was hoping to meet with you face to face…but if I did I'd be whisked away in a heartbeat." Hope's own heart pounded ferociously, so much so that he half expected to wake up from the noise. It was so loud and fast, how could he not?
"Alexander would lock me up if he knew I was here…even sending this much of me is a big risk…but you're worth it Hope."
Hope took a shaky breath to calm himself and yanked himself out of the others grasp. He turned to face them, ready to tell them off for everything they had done to him, but came face to face with his father.
"Wha-AH!" Hops yelped and clutched his stomach, gasping for the air he had lost. He ignored the nausea and slight blur in his vision and forced himself to look up at the figure. It was now his mother, a soft look on her face that was marred by a twisted smile. Hope's stomach clenched and his hands began to shake….
This was not his mother.
"Maybe daddy was too soon for you to see Hope." Even the voice was wrong…it was warped…evil…Hope flinched away as the hand moved to touch his cheek, but the figure was undeterred. "Maybe you need a parent that's been dead a while longer. If you're already used to it, you hardly notice anything about it. Like it's always been there! And mommy's all nice and rotten already…"
"Shut up."
"Bet she's sticking up somewhere, half of her rotted away. She never did get a proper burial…"
"SHUT UP!" Hope screeched, trying to push himself away from the figure as its face began to melt. The black world seemed to shudder and small ribbons of golden light began to travel towards them.
"Maybe you just need a different face…" The figure, cackling, changed again. First it was Snow, then Serah, then Sazh. Finally…there was Lightning. "Any better?" The figure grabbed his hands and pulled him close, "Or maybe you want some pretty crystals?" It was Fang…then Vanille…
"Will you stop it!" Hope shouted as he lunged, forcing the wetness he felt in his eyes away.
"Oh? You want a punching bag? Maybe Snow?" Snow again, the demeanor very cold and calculating, "Or Colin?" Another change, even as Hope began to hit every part of them he could manage.
"Stop. Stop! Stop! STOP!" Hope shouted, eye blazing with fury. He landed punch after punch, but the laughter continued and began to echo around him. His fist froze before it met its mark for the umpteenth time and his hesitation gave the other an opening. Hope was thrown on his back and he blinked in surprise and panic. He looked up and saw the figure that had shocked him, now his double, standing over him, a wicked smile playing on his face.
"Maybe you need a mirror." The other Hope hissed, leaning over him. The double placed his hands on either side of Hope's head, boring his eyes into Hope's. They were a dark red, and he inched his face closer, whispering strange words. "To the rogue fal-cie…who yearns for freedom…to the captors…who hold it in place…but which is which? What do you think Hope? The light that is tainted…the dark that is pure…a heart so encompassed in rage and regret it cannot move…"
Hope gulped, trying to make sense of the words while attempting an escape, but he was held fast. "Who the hell are you!" Hope tried instead, even as the golden bands of light began to coil around him.
"Isn't it obvious…? I'm you…but not you."
Hope growled, feeling a familiar anger bubbling in his chest. He bucked at the figure and tried to wriggle away, snarling when he couldn't. "Don't give me that! Who are you!"
The double smirked, red eyes glinting in a way that made Hope freeze, "'Where the Pulse fal-cie lay dreaming…' Isn't that what you said? You're the one in Oerba Hope…you can tell me." Hope was then grabbed by the bands of light and yanked away. He gasped, his breath leaving his lungs again, but the figure was not done, "Until we meet again…when you're ready Hope." Then the light pulled him up…there was a great blast of light, blinding him…and the laughter continued to echo in his ears…
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Lightning had taken the second watch of the night, her eyes roving the fine powder that surrounded them. They would have to fight more C'ieth tomorrow to get to the real heart of the city where the answers laid, and she wasn't looking forward to it. But she would fight them then and watch them now to make sure none came by. Lightning kept a constant grip on her gunblade out of habit and listened for every snap of a twig or distant howl.
But it was the whimpering in her own camp that put her on high alert.
She stood and weaved her way through her comrade's bedrolls, stopping when she reached the source of the noise. She sat and leaned next to Hope, turning him face up and pushing his hair away from his eyes. His face was scrunched up in an obvious nightmare and he let out a low moan.
"Hope…" Lightning tried, giving him a nudge, "…wake up."
"…Wh…Who?" Hope whispered. Lightning wasn't sure if he meant the dream or her.
"C'mon Hope." She whispered, shaking his shoulder.
Hope's eyes snapped open and he let out a strangled cry. Lightning glanced around, sure it had woken someone, and ran a soothing hand over his head. Hope pushed it away as he sat up, still in the throes of his nightmare, and he stared at his trembling hands. "What...what? I'm...awake...awake...but what did that mean? Who are they....ugh..."
"Hope." Lightning whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder, "You need to calm down. You're awake...no more nightmare."
Hope jumped at her touch and looked at her, eyes wide and fearful. Eventually he let out a shaky breath and allowed his hands to drop in his lap, his eyes going toward the ground. "Sorry..." he mumbled, "I just..." Hope shook his head, "I want this to stop."
Lightning nodded and seated herself more comfortably next to him. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer, putting his head on her own shoulder. Hope was surprised, his mouth open in a silent gasp at the action, but when Light showed no sign of moving, he eventually relaxed.
"Wanna tell me about it?" She tried after a few moments of silence.
"Not really." Hope said, trying to rub some tiredness from his eyes. His fingers then began to pick at the bedroll, some of the fabric pulling away, as he avoided her gaze. "I mean...not like we can do anything."
Lightning took a deep breath, tightening her hold, "So what if you can't right now? It might help to just...get it off your chest."
Hope shrugged before pressing himself closer to Lightning, :it was really confusing...first dad was there...then mom...then all of you. Ugh. It gives me headache trying to keep track of it all..." Lightning nodded, signaling for him to continue. "And...it wasn't like you were all appearing. It was one person, changing into them. And they said...said they were here waiting for me." Hope's eye's began to droop, his fight with sleep a losing one, but he kept going, "I...almost don't want to go now...But...I've got to." Hope trailed off, no longer able to form coherent sentences. Soon a soft snoring replaced the comfortable silence and Lightning smiled, glad he was able to sleep again. She pulled him closer to her, still keeping a steady hand on her gunblade, and thought about what the dream could mean. She had to shift slightly, silently apologizing to the muscles that were bound to be sore and stiff. No that it mattered much...so long as Hope was safe and comfortable.
She caught some movement among the sleeping occupants and easily recognized Snow's head as it popped up. She could even see the look of concern on his face. 'Is he okay?' he mouthed. Lightning nodded and Snow looked somewhat relieved, laying back down without further inquiry. Lightning returned to her silent vigil of the camp, keeping watch of Hope as well to stop any unwanted nightmares.